Champagne and trophies awaited the drivers Sunday afternoon at the conclusion of the Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival at Sonoma.
STEVE EARLE, founder and promoter of the event, did the honors, with the help of STEVE PAGE, President & General Manager of the racetrack currently known as Sonoma. Grand Marshal BILL POLLACK also assisted with the premiere award, The Phil Hill Trophy.
This year’s Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival Award for Best Presentation and overall Performance went to owner/driver BRIAN BLAIN of Visalia CA for his 1911 National 40. The car has 8029cc. He started thirteenth and finished eighth in Group One for Pre-1941 Sports & Touring Cars.
The two Sonoma Historic Trophy awards for Excellence in Presentation went to drivers in two categories – Pre-War, and Post-War.
The Sonoma Historic Trophy Pre-War Award, a popular win, went to ED ARCHER of Hayward CA for his 1915 Ford Model T. He transports it in a period-appropriate Liberty Garage wooden truck. He raced in Group One, starting and finishing fourth.
The Sonoma Historic Trophy, Post 1940 Category went to STEVE SCHULER of Capistrano Beach CA for his 1991 Mustang Trans-Am, originally raced by ROBBY GORDON. Schuler raced in Group Seven for 1982-1991 Historic IMSA GTO/SCCA Trans-Am. He started and finished sixth.
The Sonoma Historic Class Award Presented for Presentation and Performance in Race Group
Group 1 – Pete Thelander, Westminster, Calif., 1934 MG NE
Group 2 – Jimmy Domingos, Carmel, Calif., 1962 Cooper T-59 F-Jr.
Group 3 – Mike Blackie, Prescott, Ariz., 1964 Genie MK 10
Group 4 – Ron Myska, Benicia, Calif., 1969 Ford Talladega
Group 5 – Bill Lyon, Newport Beach, Calif., 1961 Porsche Abarth
Group 6 – Kristopher Matheson, Meadow Vista, Calif., 1966 Shelby GT 350
Group 7 – John McKenna, Auburn, Wash., 1985 Mercury Capri
Group 8 – Joe Harding, Vista, Calif., 1939 Lagonda V12
Group 9 – Don Martine, Pacific Grove, Calif., 1950 MG TD Von Neumann
Group 10 – Bruce Miller, Alamo, Calif., 1958 Lotus 11 LeMans
Group 11 – Dalmo de Vasconcelos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 1965 Lotus Elan
Group 12 – Ned Bacon, Minden, Nev., 1975 Porsche RSR
Group 13 – Wade Carter, Woodinville, Wash.,1972 McLaren M8-FP
Group 14 – Mike Eddy, Torrance, Calif., 1969 Mustang Boss 302
Group 15 – Todd Smathers, Pleasanton, Calif., 1973 Lola T-282
The Sonoma Historic Race Winners are honored in the results, but not by trophies.
Group 1 – Pre-1941 Sports & Touring Cars – Pete Thelander, 1934 MG NE
Group 2 – 1956-1963 Formula Cars – Denny Baker, 1963 Lotus 27 F-Jr.
Group 3 – 1956-1963 Sports Racing Cars – Jeff Abramson, 1966 Lotus 23C
Group 4 – 1963-1973 Grand National Stock – Jim Hague, 1972 Ford Gran Torino
Group 5 – 1955-1962 Production/GT Cars – Jeff Abramson, 1959 Morgan +4
Group 6 – 1962-1966 Prod/GT Cars 2000cc – John McKenna, 1963 Cobra 289
Group 7 – 1982-1991 Hist. IMSA GTO/SCCA – Peter Baljet, 1990 Chevy Beretta
Group 8 – 1925-1941 Racing Cars – Paddins Dowling, 1939 Maserati 4CL
Group 9 – 1946-1955 Sports Racing & Prod – Robert Manson, 1952 Manning Spl.
Group 10 – 1955-1960 Sports Racing Cars – Edward Nigro, 1960 Lola MK1
Group 11 – 1962-1966 Prod/GT Cars 2000cc – Ray Thompson, 1964 Ginetta G-4
Group 12 – 1973-1979 IMSA GT & FIA Cars – Ranson Webster, 1976 Porsche 935 K3
Group 13 – 1966-1974 Historic Can-Am Cars – Wade Carter, 1972 McLaren M8-FP
Group 14 – 1966-1972 Historic Trans-Am Cars – Chad Raynal, 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
Group 15 – 1971-1982 FIA Sports Racing – Keith Frieser, 1972 Lola 290